Comparative Study of the Different Types of Electroconductive Textile Integrated ECG Sensors

For long-term and continuous monitoring of ECG signals, textile electrodes may be an option. In this study, woven stainless steel and silver copper-plated polyester fabrics were used to create electroconductive textile-based electrodes that were simultaneously tested against commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. The ECG signals were recorded using the static and dynamic BIOPAC MP360 ECG data capture module (BIOPAC Systems, Inc., Goleta, CA, USA). Using the algorithmic features retrieved for each electrode, sensor characterization involved ECG monitoring, surveys on the comfortability of human participants, and wash ability effect evaluation. Under both static and dynamic conditions, the obtained ECG signal waveform was observable for each electrode. Based on the signal shape, HR, and R-R interval, the ECG signals recorded while the participants were running on a treadmill machine were evaluated and compared. The findings showed that signals acquired using all electrodes had visible P, QRS, and T waves but that under both static and dynamic conditions, silver copper-plated polyester textile electrodes had a greater R-peak amplitude (1.28 mV) than did standard Ag/AgCl electrodes and stainless-steel textile electrodes. The signals were distorted slightly during running, which could have been caused by shaky skin-electrode contact.